Denny Lane Papers Descriptive List (Ref. U611)

U611/

53 [1848] ‘Declaration of the Inhabitants of the County and City of Cork’ concerning ‘the record of immediate measures to satisfy the just demands of the Irish people. ‘During the period of rule of the Imperial Parliament the condition of the country and people gradually has grown worse and more hopeless...’. A mischievous course of centralisation’ concentrated expenditure in England, and the consequence has been an increase in pauperism in Ireland, ‘vainly attempted to be remedied by an ill advised poor law system. Argues for the restoration of an Irish Parliament which alone can save the country from ‘social ruin’. Advocates loyalty to the Throne, anxiety to preserve public order and property rights, and opposition to ‘all religious ascendancy’. Immediate concern to these claims can alone prevent public disturbance. 2pp

John Martin (1849) (1 item)

54 17 June 1849 Letter from John Martin, on board the Mount Stuart , Elphinstown, Cove Harbour, to ‘Dear Sir’ (Denny Lane, Cork). ‘Mr O’Doherty and I were put on board this convict transport this morning…’. Martin relates that their removal from Richmond Prison was quite sudden and they ‘counted in sharing the fate of our friends the “traitors” ‘. They were given no information on their destination, whether ‘Spike or the Cape or Van Dieman’s Land or Jericho’ and are ‘unfurnished in many respects’ for the voyage. They must take the rations of ‘ordinary convicts’ or ‘”arrange” a different mess with the Captain’. Martin makes a ‘bold request’ to get money from his brother-in-law Dr.Simpson as a loan. He hopes the rest of their rebellious comrades won’t be sent to join them due to the probability of overcrowding in their state room if there were ‘ 6 Irish Rebels’. Concludes they are ‘stout in body & mind & intend to be so for our ten years or as much longer time as the Enemy may be able to hold us’. 3pp

- 31 -